Hereford
Area Baseball Rules
7/8-Year-Old
League
Rules: Official Little League with the below exceptions
and classifications.
- Dimensions:
60’ base distances – approximately 30’ pitching distance.
- Length
of Game: 6 innings. If tied at end of six innings, game is a tie. At
least four innings must be played in order for a game to be considered
complete, 3 ½ if home team is winning. If a game is not complete, it must
be replayed in its entirety.
- Participation:
All players showing up prior to the game, in uniform, shall be in the
batting order for the entire game. All players must play at least two
innings in the field.
- Positions:
No more than six players in the infield. These positions are catcher,
pitcher, first base, second base, 3rd base and shortstop.
Outfielders must be on outfield grass when ball is hit, with a maximum of
5 outfielders. The child pitcher will stand to one side of the coach who
is pitching. They must be behind the coach pitcher.
- Only
the coach who is pitching is allowed on the field.
- Pitching:
No player may pitch. The pitcher cannot interfere with a hit ball.
Pitching must be overhand.
- Gloves:
Any glove can be used. Players must have a glove to participate.
- Forfeit:
A team must have at least 6 players dressed and ready to play. Forfeit
time is 15 minutes after scheduled start time.
- Bunting:
Bunting is allowed.
- Dropped
third strike: batter is out.
- Stealing:
No stealing.
- Leading:
No leading.
- Umpire:
Calls strikes only. Three strikes is an out. Foul on third strike is not
an out.
- Walks:
There are no walks.
- Base
Running: Once a runner makes a motion back to a base last touched during play(for
example, he stops and turns to go back), he must return to that base, and
he cannot advance further.
- Five
Run Rule: Once a team has scored five runs, no more batters for that
team and the inning is over. If they scored more than five runs because
men were on base, that is ok. Unlimited runs in
last inning only.
- Equipment:
- Balls:
rif level 5 – Home
team provides new ball and almost new ball.
- Bats:
Any bat.
- Catchers:
must wear mask, shin guards, CUP, and chest protector. Any player warming
up pitcher must wear mask.
- Runners:
must wear helmets, no metal spikes.
- Rainouts/Postponements:
If game is rained out or canceled, home team managers must call opposing
managers and umpire by 5PM if game is not to be played. Call Hereford Rec
Council at (410)887-1938 to hear if games have been canceled. If not, show
up at field. If umpire cancels game, home team coach should call rec office to schedule for makeup.
- Lightening:
If you see lightening or you hear thunder, please leave fields
immediately.
- Terminate
Game: An umpire or field attendant may determine when to terminate
game due to weather or darkness. If so, the team leading after the last
completed inning is the winner. At least four innings must have been
completed.
- Sportsmanship:
No foul language should be used by any coach, player, or fans. If behavior
persists, umpire can ask offenders to leave the area. If offender does not cooperate with
umpire, they may be permanently suspended from the program.
- Smoking:
No smoking near the playing fields.
- Cancellations:
Games can only be canceled due to school functions or weather, no
exceptions. Commissioners must notify other commissioners of any
cancellations 24 hours prior to game time. Failure to do so means you will have to pay the umpire fees, and you
will forfeit the game.